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Garrett Popcorn sued over ‘Chicago Mix’ name

The target is Garret’s delicious and addicting mix of caramel and cheese flavored popcorn.

Minnesota-based company, Candyland Incorporated, filed federal trademark infringement lawsuits against three companies, including Garrett’s Popcorn shops who use the name.

The company says they received the trademark for the “Chicago Mix” in September 1992 after Brenda Lamb, co-owner of the four-store Candyland chain, came up with the concoction in 1988.

Their ‘Chicago Mix’– a mixture of cheddar, caramel, and original seasoned popcorn– is still a best seller for the small company, which brings in less than $5 million in annual revenue.

This isn’t Candyland’s first run in with Garrett’s. In 2008, the Lamb’s sent Garrett’s a friendly letter asking them to remove the ‘Chicago Mix’ name. They complied for a little, but the name returned the popcorn bags shortly after.

A spokesperson for Garrett’s said their ‘Chicago Mix’ was being re-branded prior to any lawsuit. They transitioning the name to ‘Garrett Mix’ which will appeal to a wider variety of customers.

Garrett’s website already reflects the name change, so next time you order those habit-forming kernels, make sure to refer to them as the Garrett Mix!